Appropriate Containers for Pumped Breast Milk

by LisaC

Mothers who use a bottle and formula to feed their babies are always concerned about proper storage and handling of formula. Everyone knows that bottles must be sterilized and handled in a safe manner and everyone knows what a good bottle looks like and what qualities they want in it.
However, ot so much is said (at least in my mind) about proper storage containers for pumped breast milk by moms who breastfeed their babies.

For instance, containers for pumped breast milk are important and yet, for all my research I rarely come up with anything other than a few lines as to why containers to store pumped breast milk are important.

So, let’s talk about why the containers a mom stores her breast milk in is of interest.

If it is clean and sanitized it should be ok? Right? Truth is, maybe or maybe not because there are differing opinions by experts.

Plastic liners which some mothers use to store breast milk must of course be sterile. However, there is another issue in that the fat from the breast milk can cling to the sides of certain type of standard bottle liners. Unless mom is using a specially made liner for breast milk then it is often considered wisest to stick to hard plastic bottles or glass bottles for breast milk storage.
Ameda and Medela both make great breast milk storage containers that are engineered to store breast milk safely and not permit the fat to cling to the sides of the bag. Babies need that fat.
Medela even makes a breast milk storage bag with a pouring spout when can eliminate those spills when trying to transfer stored breast milk to a bottle. Breast milk is precious!

When using any container to store breast milk that has been pumped, be sure your preparation area is clean and allow about a quarter inch of space (maybe a bit more) at the top of the container to allow for expansion of milk if it is to be frozen.

Plastic bottles and glass containers used for storing pumped breast milk are re-usable as long as they are properly cleaned and sterilized between uses.

Mom doesn’t necessarily need a specially designed breast milk storage bottle or container but using them can ease any concerns about storage and cleanliness. There are so many other things for a new mom to worry about, why add one more? Some special containers for pumped breast milk storage are so designed that the milk goes directly from the breast pump into the storage containers.

Remember, if you try to use plastic liners not specifically made for breast milk storage that if the milk is frozen you will be trying to pour that breast milk from a shapeless bag after thawing it and of course trying not to spill it. That’s quite a challenge. Some plastic bags and liners are not made to be frozen or even reheated for that matter, so be aware the plastic will need to be of sturdier stuff than what might be used to store left over salad.

A good set of storage bottles or supply of  plastic storage liners can save the new or veteran breastfeeding mom a lot of time and headaches at a time they don’t need new headaches. Or can save them trying to manipulate containers not meant for breast milk storage and eliminate concerns over whether the material is right or safe to hold baby’s food.

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August 30, 2009   No Comments

Breastfeeding after an Initial Delay Is Possible

by LisaC

For a number of reasons, often due to health issues with the baby or the mother, breast-feeding may not be initiated immediately after delivery. The question is often asked “Is it possible to initiate after a delay?” The simple answer is yesit is possible and relatively easy up to two weeks after delivery to transition the baby from a bottle and formula to the more natural and healthy breast-feeding method.

Mothers who have delayed breast-feeding might encounter a couple of common issues, most notably would be the difficulty of transferring an infant who has become accustomed to the bottle to the breast. The other issue might be that of establishing a milk supply after a period of delay.

To deal with the first issue, the infant who has become used to a bottle and might resist latching on to the breast, one of the best things to do is to spend a lot of time in skin to skin contact. Some infants experienced no problems whatsoever transitioning from bottle feeding to breast-feeding.

However, if the infant is resistant to breast-feeding, a mother might use a clear silicone nipple shield that may help an infant get used to the breast because it feels more like the bottle nipple that they are used to.

Medela makes such a shield and it is relatively inexpensive and yet can help overcome one of the more common issues experienced by mothers transitioning infants from the bottle to the breast.

The other issue often encountered if there has been a delay in initiating breastfeeding after delivery is without the milk supply will often need to be established. Frequent stimulation of the breast by attempts to feed the baby is one of the most natural and frequently recommended courses. However, it can also be helpful to obtain a hospital grade breast pump for a short period of time. It normally does not take too long to establish an adequate supply of milk so soon after delivery.
At first a mother may want to use a supplemental feeding device which supplies formula while the baby sucks at the breast. Doing this will provide the proper stimulation for the breast to establish milk supply and yet ensure that the infant is getting adequate nutrition during this period.

There are several methods of establishing an adequate milk supply as well as transitioning the baby from bottle to breast. Many mothers may find that consulting with a lactation specialist is a great benefit and will help guide them in their choices.

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July 27, 2009   No Comments